The Sporting
T S I L C Y C R O T MO
..published monthly
orting motorcycling
News for social and sp
December 2021
Enduro, Grasstrack, Motocross, Road Racing, Speedway, Sprinting and Trials news
CONTAINS OFFICIAL EVENT ENTRY FORMS
The Sporting
MOTORCYCLIST
is published monthly and is available through your Clubs or by direct subscription
Editor
(ACU Southern Centre) John Bramall
16 Gifford Close, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 6PJ T: 01329 823282 E: johnbramall246@btinternet.com
Editor
(ACU South Midland Centre) Bob Twigg
2 Harwood Close, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL8 7SN E: bobtwigg@ntlworld.com
Editor & Advertising and Distribution
(ACU South Eastern Centre) Andy Wood 30 Westways, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6AA Tel/Fax 01732 865380
E: anmarprintingservices@gmail.com
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DECEMBER 2021 VOL. 21 ISSUE 12 PUBLISHED ON THE 1ST OF EACH MONTH
FROM THE EDITOR'S CHAIR n By Bob Twigg
As we head for 2022 let's all hope for a good year for our sport. Lots of observers at trials, lots of marshals at moto cross and helpers all putting up (and taking down) markers and ropes etc.. Who is getting a new bike for Christmas? The Covid thing has slowed up the market for two years now, let's hope a good supply of machinery will be on sale next year. TMX still show the next years bikes well in advance, maybe we can go back to something like normal with sales and so on. Vic Allan was pleased with the article he put in TSM last month, come on lads, get your pens going and tell us about your experiences on two or three wheels! The Berkhamsted club plan to put on two National trials in 2022, one for the National youths and a ladies round too. Their efforts at Round Rocket this year was a really great do, so much work had been put into it by many folk, especially Lionel Cox, well done "Li"! The calendars for next year are now "almost" decided in the South Midland centre. John Eckhart, the Meteor group championship recorder has got a full calendar of group events listed, though things at Dews Farm, due to HS2 are a little tricky still. I must say that this year the chaps on the gate at Dews are jovial, what a job standing about in all weathers checking who is coming or going into the site, well done, let's see more events there in the coming year. Dews Farm has been used since before the war for motorcycle events, scrambles were run there before trials became the norm' there. It is a great piece of ground and only a few miles from London we are lucky to still have the use of it. Let's hope again that we will still be able to get in there in the future. All for now, Happy Christmas everyone and good biking in 2022 and beyond! Contributions in this issue: Alan Turner, Mike Wiseman, Neil Emmott, Neil Wood, John Eckhart, Bob Brown, John Sapsard, Ken O'Brien, Andy Withers, Jerry Cookson, Peter Burrell, Paul Rogers, Robert Ferris, John Bramall. Would you like to contribute? Please send to the editor, contact details on page 3.
Cover Photo: David James Photo by: Andy Withers
Remember, both clubs and individuals can send any news or reports about events both sporting and social happening or that have happened in your local ACU centre. Subscribers to The Sporting Motorcyclist want to know what is going on. Our copy date is the 20th of each month, so get your copy in for publication! Send documents and pictures (with appropriate credits, captions and authors) to our editors whose details are shown on this page. 3
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Centres Officials
O N T E NTS
Chairmen
Kent Speedway News
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Paul Smart
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East Kent Trials Combine Change of Venue 6 ACU South Midland Annual General Meeting and First Board 8 The Southern Centre AGM
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Every Club Should Have One?
9
The St Paul Trophy Trial
9
Honours Reclaimed At Lydden
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Motorcycle Live 2021
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Southern Centre ACU Trials Championship 15 Sidcup Club's Two Main Trials are Back On Track! 19 Straight Talking
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Diary Dates
25
Len Hutty Memorial Trial
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Kevin Cleans Up
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ACU Annual Awards – Cancellation 29 Ron Gardner
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Star Group Opener
34
Iwade Ladies Day
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Iwade Upright Speedway Day and Thoughts... 37 XHG Tiger November Club Trial
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Conference of the Parties (COP26) 41 Norton Trophy
Regulations Trials
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Hillingdon & Uxbridge, 5th Dec North East London, 12th Dec Sittingbourne, 12th December Farnham Royal, 19th December Hillingdon & Uxbridge, 26th Dec Thames, 28th December Waltham Chase, 31st December Berkhamsted, 2nd January Kingston, 9th January Wycombe, 9th January Sidcup, 16th January
7 7 11 11 30 30 31 35 35 45 45
Entry Form
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South Eastern: Steve Moore Tel: 01483 486320 Southern: Bob Hewson Tel: 023 9259 2919
Secretaries South Eastern: ACU Main Office Tel: 01788 566400 admin@acu.org.uk South Midland: Terry Golds Tel: 01582 455714 Mobile: 07747 855264 21 Buckingham Drive, Stopsley, Luton, Beds, LU2 9RA email: terrylgolds@ntlworld.com Southern: Chris Fletcher Tel: 01256 242214 1 Fairclose, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28 7AN email: chris-fletcher@tiscali.co.uk
Permit Secretaries South Eastern: ACU Main Office Tel: 01788 566400 admin@acu.org.uk South Midland: Ian Reynolds Tel: 0208 9079856 Mobile: 07803766314 186 Regal Way, Harrow Middlesex, HA3 0SQ email: reynolds.russell@virgin.net Southern: Claire Ballard Tel: 0118 343 3346 26 Droxford Crescent, Tadley, Hampshire, RG26 3BA email: ballardclaire@hotmail.com
Benevolent Fund Representatives South Midland: Dave Porter Tel: 01582 651189 22 Belper Road, Luton, Beds, LU4 8RG Southern: Terry Graves Tel: 02380 643503 13 Locksley Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 5DX South Eastern: Hazel Collins Tel: 01189 421534 14 Brookside, Calcot, West Berks, RG31 7PJ
Rights of Way Officers South Eastern (Sussex): Bevis Billingham Tel: 01243 585128 182 Elmer Road, Middleton on Sea, Bognor Regis, PO22 6JA South Eastern (Kent): Steve Neville Tel: 01797 458939 26 Donsmead Drive, Northiam, TN31 6EQ South Midland: Chris Hurworth Tel: 01494 446198 23 Cambridge Crescent, Totteridge, High Wycombe, HP13 7NE Southern: Martin Down Tel: 01264 365084 18 Barcelona Close, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 1JQ. email: martin.down1@gmail.com
Kent Speedway News
Q By Neil Emmott
General News: The future of Kent Speedway hangs in the balance. Following Len Silver's retirement from the sport a new promotor is required. The new regime, if one is forthcoming, will have to reach an agreement with the new Stadium owners ARC with regard to all aspects of speedway racing continuing at Central Park. As it stands all current Kent riders were advised to seek alternative clubs for 2022, which indicates Kent Kings and Royals may be absentees from the Championship and National Leagues respectively when the tapes go up at Easter next season. TSM will keep you posted on Kent Speedway news throughout the coming months. STATEMENT FROM LEN SILVER, Kent Speedway promoter
"It is with some personal sadness that I can report that as soon as the administration of Kent Speedway affairs is finalised, I will be retiring
from all activities concerning Kent Speedway. The first seven years of my activities at Sittingbourne were a pure delight and enjoyable mainly because of the wonderful attitude of the fans of Kent. But 2021, starting with the Pandemic and the huge problems that it gave, followed by no less than seven rain offs and rider retirements, made the stress levels go through the roof. Other issues followed which brought about my decision. Speedway has been my life for 75 years and I have loved every minute of it until the last month or two. I sincerely hope that Speedway has a future at Central Park and I will do all in my power to help that happen." - Len Silver - Kent Speedway
confident that they could keep the Colts' unenviable record going. The first few heats were tied at 3-3. But then the Colts, having not read the script, started to open up a positive point gap on the Royals that even with a couple of 4-2s and 5-1s the Royals could not close. With a last gasp effort in the closing heats the Royals almost overhauled the Colts, and if it wasn't for an engine blow up halting the Royals' progress they may well have done so. However, it was the Colts who set aside their unenviable record and took the final lap of honour on the Kent Speedway Trailer, much to the appreciation of the visiting fans from Manchester. Final Score: Kent Royals 44 – Belle Vue Colts 46.
As TSM goes to press, Si Kellow of Iwade Garage, sponsor of the Kent Royals in 2021, has approached the SCB with a view to become the promoter of Kent Speedway. This will be for an assault on the National league only and meetings may be held at Iwade Speedway opposed to Central Park. TSM will keep you posted on how this develops over the coming months.
October 31 2021 The final (home from home) meeting for the Kent Royals against Armadale was to be held at Leicester Speedway as no date was available at Kent's Central Park Stadium due to planning restrictions. However, the weather had the final say and the meeting scheduled for October 31 was called off. That concludes all of Kent Royals' fixtures for 2021.
Final Home Meeting Reviews: October 26 2021 Belle Vue Colts came to Central Park as the last visiting team of 2021. They also had the unwanted title of being the only National League team not to record an away win so far this season. Kent Royals were without Josh Warren and Alex Spooner, but were still
Final SCB National Development League Table: Mildenhall 26 Berwick 22 Bell Vue 14 Kent 13 Armadale 12 Leicester 11
5
Tim Reeves/Kevin Rousseau (600 Yamaha) were in unbeatable form at Lydden
Honours Reclaimed At Lydden 23rd-24th October Q By Alan Turner The end of October and a visit to Kent's 'other' road race venue, Lydden Hill. In recent years, sad to say, the venue has hosted few motorcycle meetings, but 2018 marked a return of the 'Lord of Lydden' title for solos as well as the Sidecar Burn-Up for the charioteers. These were once top races on the circuit's calendar, an end-of-season outing for National-level competitors and rising stars making additions to their racing CVs. The sinuous one-mile circuit is a great leveller, putting a premium on handling and riding skills rather than outright horsepower. For spectators, and the annual outing would attract many, almost all the track is visible from virtually every viewing point with a below eye-level paling fence marking the boundary. The resurrected Lord event has yet to match the calibre of entry that appeared in the early years , but an intense, action-packed weekend was certainly not short on close racing. Lydden operates under some very strict regulations and to maximise track time, races were generally ten laps and followed in quick succession. Saturday was the day for Desmo Dues. Ducati has produced 600 twins in various guises and the Due formula allows any of them to compete on level terms. The four-stroke V-twins looked and sounded good with some dicing down the field through heats and a final that merited four of the day's 22 race slots. A small field of MZs , another club formula, but this one based on the 250 stroker singles, had their own race within a race, marked 12
with a scented blue haze as they followed the Production 400s off the start line. The latter class is about equally favoured by
Martyn Ashwood (left) Lord of Lydden in 1969 and '70 with Roy Francis . They are with the Chis-Honda raced by Roy and a Honda CR93 125 twin, a tribute to Bill Ivy. Kawasaki and Yamaha pocket rocket riders, but riders from the Open class put Honda and smaller Yamaha cats among the regular pigeons. Adding further spice to the action, determined MZs were getting up towards midfield positions in the overall standings.
Paul Payne (618 Ducati)leads, Scott Wilson (620 Ducati), pursues. Positions were reversed – just - by the chequered flag Coming up in capacity, Supertwins were mixed with pre-86 Production 600s for another series of races. In reality, it served up quite a mixed bag of machinery. Eddy Wormald (Suzuki 650) looked to have command in the first outing until he high-sided at Chesson's Drift and rather knocked himself about. He made a subdued return to action on Sunday, but all the races were tight affairs with three or four riders in the frame for top honours. Lambretta was the dominant make in the two scooter classes, Super Scooter and Stock Scooter, with further sub-divisions. Both categories produced impressive race speeds, close to the 70mph mark, or even exceeding it in Super Scooters. The Open class was top of the heap, the chance for the bigger bikes to strut their stuff, with BMW plus all four Japanese manufacturers represented. This became a showcase for BSB rider Tom Ward on his 999 Suzuki. Four wins in the early races, with Luke Dixon (BMW 1000) chasing him home three
times and then, late Sunday, reclaiming the Lord of Lydden title that he last claimed in 2019. This time it was Ryan Dixon (Yamaha R6) following him home in the 20-lap main race. Lord in 2020, Dawid Kraweicki was a little too far off the pace to fight to retain his title. There was a Junior Lord of Lydden event, contested with FAB-Racing MiniGP bikes, small in stature, but big in competitive spirit. The bikes have plenty of performance, but it's riding skill in using it that counts and there was plenty of rising talent in either of the classes. In a few seasons' time …? The Sidecar Burn-Up attracted some wellknown names. It extended to three classes, with F1 top of the tree. The F2 and Classic events saw some crossover with a few teams contesting both. Multi-world champion, and previous BurnUp winner, Tim Reeves, with Kevin Roussseau
Harry Payne and Mark Wilkes at Devil's Elbow, Lydden's only left-hand bend they finished fourth in Sunday's Burn-Up finale in the chair, were the clear stars in the F1 races for the long wheelbase, almost enclosed, three-wheel missiles. Not always quickest off the line, once R'n'R had worked their way past the nimble, more traditional outfits to a clear track, their 600 Yamaha simply flew, their fastest lap of the meeting was just less than 85mph, on a par with the quickest solos! F2 is a more traditional style, more recognisable as bike and sidecar beneath a unifed fairing, while the Classics are the big-wheel outfits, almost dominated by BMW's K100 'brick' engine, which has proved admirable for the purpose. The open style reveals the crew's vital athletics to control the slides into (and out of) the corners. Sean Hegarty/James Neave (BMW K100) took three wins, Wayne Lockey/Ben Binns on a 600 Continued overleaf 13
STRAIGHT TALKING
TSM Early Season Review Although we didn't get to feature much in the way of National Sprint Association news and reports in the pages of TSM this year due to one thing and another I thought that with the season now done, champions crowned and with a new improved season to look forward to, we would run a review of the season interlaced with highlights from the world of Straightliners events and ACU Championship drag racing from Santa Pod. After a year of uncertainty, complications and cancellations 20
all round NSA sprinting returned to some kind of formality in April and to Devon's Smeatharpe Airfield for a day's ear bashing of vintage, classic and modern day quarter mile sprinting. Following a few trial outings in 2019 and an all too familiar truncated season in 2020 the NSA, led by Dave Massam and Chairman Rob Brittain decided wisely that to safe guard racing in the south to run rounds of the series during the already established format of events previously run by Straightliners at the aptly named Dakota Raceway.
With an ever present strict time window for racing due to an agreement with the local authorities and the airfield's owners for the running of one noisy day event per month it was pleasing to see some 40 plus pre-programmed entries on the list that would be complimented with a varied selection of street machines, race and drift cars all descending on the Devonshire sleepy hamlet. It was also decided that the start line be moved back to accommodate a bit more braking area for the faster machinery to achieve
n Words By Jerry Cookson, John Carter & Neil Jenkinson Photos by Keith Lee, Mark Nightingale and Julian Hunt (Eurodragster) optimum performance at max revs! With the Taylor duo running 50cc and 125cc Junior class machines it was young Sam Taylor who took the 50cc win on his Auto 50 while big brother Jack took the 125cc win with a 19.6s from his six programmed rides. At long last in the 125cc class Martin Bracey had some competition for his Aprilia RS50 in the form of Dave King's Honda RS125 which ran a quicker 14.681s to Martin's 20.367s. The 400cc Racing class saw the first appearance of the year for Tony Sanchez and his screamin' RD Yamaha. But try as he might Tony couldn't get anywhere near his 9 second performance and had to settle for a mild off form 14.406s. The 500cc Racing class was led by the KH500 H1 of Peter McGuiness at 12.703s against the Godden powered machine of Stephen Mayes at 15.887s. The 750cc class was closely fought between the Peter Ford's blown Suzuki and Andrew Langdon's VFR. From the six rides made, Andrew topped the time sheets at 10.623s to Peter's 10.985s. Simon Havercroft's GSXR1000 was the man to beat in the 1000cc Racing class at 9.822s across the patchy
surface while Paul Hayman's similar machine gave Simon's machine a good run for its money but just failed to break into the 9s resulting in a 10.006s best. The Unlimited class saw the
11.311s. The small entry for Vintage and Classics only had one rider in each of the classes. In the 350 Vintage Post 1946 Class saw Jerry Deeks BSA Gold Star with a best of 16.858s from 6
return of Andrew Boswell and his 1200cc Harley drag bike "Gonzales" to the fold. With a couple of wayward 11 second passes the fifth run of the day produced the class winner of 9.843s at 133.29 mph. Tony Davidge took his normally aspirated 1500cc Suzuki drag bike to a 10.234s for second while Mark Taylor's repainted 1428cc big bore Suzuki was third at 10.280s. With Andrew Boswell back in the saddle so to was brother Terry on his reworked HD to a best of
runs while in Non Jap Classic Andy Webb pushed his 350cc Lawton Aermacchi to a top time on his first of 10 runs at 15.363s. Although he bought his two stroke device along for good measure, Jasper Joy rode one of his Triumph Tridents to a best of 12.984s. Clive Hurst took his H1 Kawasaki to a 15.226s while the Yamaha of Jason Winterson ran his XS model to a time of 12.453s. In the 250cc Road Legal Continued overleaf 21
Iwade Ladies Day Q Photos by Geoff Young Oddshots Speedway Photography At the beginning of last month Iwade Speedway Club held its belated ladies day postponed from earlier. Included in the event were mini track pursuits such as pitbikes, youth speedway, trials practice, sidecar taxi rides as well as speedway and flat trackers. A large number of riders and newcomers to the sports attended and the day was enjoyed by all.
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Iwade Upright Speedway Day and Thoughts...
Q Words and photo by Neil Wood It had been quite a while since my last trip out to my local speedway track. I was invited along to an upright speedway practice day. The smell of oil and shale is something I'd missed these past years. I was brought up on watching grasstrack and at the age of 42 I was probably the youngest in attendance. I am now not a stranger to speedway over these past few years. Iwade was where I was taught how to ride a motorbike on a very hot summer day back in 2008. I also got to race at amateur level up until 2013 with the last time on track being 2018. When I look back, I spent many a weekend with my dad, going to local grasstrack venues such as Frittenden and Collier Street. It was always spectacular watching these riders dance the fine line of traction and grip around dirt tracks. I am not really into the word "celebrity" but these riders were certainly some form of heroes for me growing up. On these grass track weekends I would spend my pocket money in "Peter and Pearls" photo tent. I have been recently digitising some of these with date stickers still intact. A cloudy grey and chilly day welcomed us but this would not dampen riders effort. A great selection of well kept machinery were in attendance. Always good seeing something new, different approaches to going around in circles. A wide selection of purely classic setups and those with all the modern trick bits. It was great to see so many familiar faces
keeping this track in great shape. Adjustments have been made to the pits area and the junior track was always buzzing with activity. Youngsters learning the ropes and getting the rear wheel sliding for the first time. The riders there that day came in many forms, a wealth of experience and history. Many exriders from speedway teams from yesteryear. A couple of the upright bikes had some teething problems but most were able to blow away the cobwebs before these machines would be put away for winter. I stood track side watching bikes take to the track, discussing with friends and trying to work out who was who. One such rider dressed in black and white, "Cornell" written on their suit. Turned to a friend, "no... it couldn't be?", I questioned. I knew that sometimes names on suits don't always reflect the person beneath the helmet. I flicked through my old photo collection on my phone to find a matching rider. The beauty of being a bit older, I was no longer that young kid clutching an autograph book wandering around the pits afraid to approach my on track heroes. I approached the rider that would turn out to be Keith Cornell, a rider I had seen on the grass many years ago doing battle with riders such as Rob Cameron, Chris Underhill and many others. I showed Keith his photo on my phone dated about 1987. He was pleased to see it and be reminded of the grasstrack memories. In turn he showed me a photo of him as a Crayford Kestrels rider before he took to the grasstrack. I also got to see some riders taking a speedway sidecar to the track. It was a slightly reduced frame and had a 250cc engine on board. This was from the popular junior sidecar class ridden in Australia for youngsters. It is a wonder why junior classes for sidecar haven't taken off in the UK. Could this be something to happen in future with enough support? I am really grateful that Iwade Speedway Club still exists. Their patience teaching youngsters (and newbies like me) and giving older riders the opportunity to continue riding. Thanks to the club and organisers for running this practice. 37
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